'We all know that thoughts and prayers are not enough, that bold action is required.'

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Updated: 6:15 PM PST Mar 8, 2018

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WEBVTT THERE IS A NEW CHAPTER IN THE>> TODAY’S SEMI-AUTOMATIC GUNSASSEMBLY MEMBER ROB BONTA ARGUES>> WE ALL KNOW THAT THOUGHTS AND>> HIS COMMENTS COME IN THE WAKEBONTA SAYS IT’S TIME THE AGE>> FROM A PUBLIC SAFETY>> GUN ADVOCATES SAY THE OAKLANDBY EFFECTING LAWS THAT LIMIT THESAM PAREDES, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR>> EVERY 18-21-YEAR-OLD SHOULD>> BONTA’S OFFICE ARGUES THIS IS

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California bill would raise age limit to buy rifles, shotguns

'We all know that thoughts and prayers are not enough, that bold action is required.'

A California lawmaker announced a new effort to raise the age limit for buying long guns to 21. Assembly member Rob Bonta, D-Oakland, held a press conference Thursday morning announcing amendments to Assembly Bill 3, which would change the language to focus on age requirements for buying long guns, like shotguns and rifles. In essence, it's a new bill. "We all know that thoughts and prayers are not enough -- that bold action is required," Bonta said.Bonta's bill comes in the wake of the Parkland, Florida, school shooting during which a 19-year-old shot and killed 17 people using an AR-15. Bonta referenced the massacre and the youth movement to enact laws to reduce gun violence during his press conference. He said now is the time for the state's age requirement on long guns to mirror that of its age requirement on handguns, which is also 21."There’s a strong need to have more parity in our gun laws," Bonta said. "From a public safety standpoint, what’s good policy for handguns is good policy for long guns."He also argued that people not old enough to buy alcohol, marijuana and cigarettes should not be afforded the right to buy these weapons. The bill does not prohibit the possession of long guns by those between 18 and 21.Bonta was joined by representatives from the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence and the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence. "Modern rifles pose a greater threat than handguns, and a similar age restriction should apply," said Rebecca Marcus, with the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. "Raising the minimum age to purchase a long gun is a reasonable step to improve public safety."The bill won't be receiving support from Gun Owners of California. Its executive director, Sam Paredes, said the bill unfairly impacts responsible gun owners."By effecting laws that limit the ability for law abiding citizens to get guns, those are the only people you're affecting," he said. Paredes argued criminals that use guns to commit their crimes will still have access to the weapons. He also said if AB 3 is signed into law, it would be unconstitutional and challenged in the court system."Every 18- to 21-year-old should be up in arms that they are second-class citizens, that they cannot exercise their Constitutional right to keep and bear arms," Paredes said.He said that if men and women between the ages of 18 and 21 are old enough to vote and serve in the military, they should be able to purchase a shotgun or rifle. Bonta's office believes the measure is a reasonable limitation and would be upheld in court.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (KCRA) —

A California lawmaker announced a new effort to raise the age limit for buying long guns to 21.

"We all know that thoughts and prayers are not enough -- that bold action is required," Bonta said.

Bonta's bill comes in the wake of the Parkland, Florida, school shooting during which a 19-year-old shot and killed 17 people using an AR-15.

Assemblymember Rob Bonta, D-Oakland

Bonta referenced the massacre and the youth movement to enact laws to reduce gun violence during his press conference. He said now is the time for the state's age requirement on long guns to mirror that of its age requirement on handguns, which is also 21.

"There’s a strong need to have more parity in our gun laws," Bonta said. "From a public safety standpoint, what’s good policy for handguns is good policy for long guns."

He also argued that people not old enough to buy alcohol, marijuana and cigarettes should not be afforded the right to buy these weapons.

The bill does not prohibit the possession of long guns by those between 18 and 21.

Bonta was joined by representatives from the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence and the Giffords Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence.

"Modern rifles pose a greater threat than handguns, and a similar age restriction should apply," said Rebecca Marcus, with the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. "Raising the minimum age to purchase a long gun is a reasonable step to improve public safety."

Richard Sharp/KCRA

The bill won't be receiving support from Gun Owners of California. Its executive director, Sam Paredes, said the bill unfairly impacts responsible gun owners.

"By effecting laws that limit the ability for law abiding citizens to get guns, those are the only people you're affecting," he said.

Paredes argued criminals that use guns to commit their crimes will still have access to the weapons. He also said if AB 3 is signed into law, it would be unconstitutional and challenged in the court system.

"Every 18- to 21-year-old should be up in arms that they are second-class citizens, that they cannot exercise their Constitutional right to keep and bear arms," Paredes said.

He said that if men and women between the ages of 18 and 21 are old enough to vote and serve in the military, they should be able to purchase a shotgun or rifle.

Bonta's office believes the measure is a reasonable limitation and would be upheld in court.